Village reports fuel‑oil plume traced to sewer system; cracked pump‑station pipe to be replaced

Jeff, the village public‑works presenter, told the Clayton Village Board that a DEC inspection found no major concerns but staff detected a fuel‑oil odor entering the sewer system after a heavy rain event. "We did have a plume of fuel oil behind our wastewater plant," he said, and DEC's spill response team was notified; by the time staff arrived the contaminant had passed through and the plant continued to meet effluent limits according to Jeff.

During the investigation staff also discovered a cracked 4‑inch discharge pipe at the West Union wet well. Jeff said Henderson Brothers inspected the damage and will provide a cost proposal; the village plans to replace the line with an 8‑inch Schedule 80 pipe and has reserved money in the operations and maintenance budget for the repair.

Board members discussed alarms, SCADA monitoring and recent rain timing; staff said an on‑call operator monitored flow and the system did not overflow. Jeff also reported postponing routine maintenance at pump stations while groundwater levels remained high and described plans to reschedule dewatering and cleanout work.

Officials said they will await Henderson Brothers' cost estimate and follow up with any permit or contracting steps needed to complete the pipe replacement. No formal enforcement action or violations were reported related to the plume; DEC was notified and staff will provide whatever follow‑up correspondence DEC issues.